Roadcheck Is Coming: Two Main Tips For Truck Drivers
The International Roadcheck begins tomorrow. Reliance Partners Director of Safety Brian Runnels provides a few simple tips how to solve the most important technical truck issues.
Roadcheck 2021
The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) conducts annual full 37-point Level I inspections on commercial vehicles throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico. This year’s International Roadcheck Week will be held from 4 to 6 May.
Inspectors will look for vehicle malfunctions which make their operation strictly prohibited. Vehicles without any critical malfunctions will receive a CVSA decal. These vehicles are exempted from re-inspection for the next three months.
CVSA states that inspectors will also check driver’s operating credentials, hours of service (HOS) documentation, seat belt usage, as well as alcohol and drug impairment.
Trucks carrying COVID-19 vaccine will not be stopped for inspection, unless a serious violation is noticed.
“The main focus this year is lights and logs, and they’re definitely connected. Here’s how: If a light isn’t burning, then you’re going to get pulled over for an inspection, and they’re going to look at your logbook,” Runnels says.
Dead lights make huge problems
Runnells encourages drivers to inspect the vehicle before driving. You need to check every single light and bulb on the truck and trailer, high and low beams, clearance lights, turn signals and marker lights. It is also important to check the trailer brake lights.
“This light was working when I checked it this morning,” every inspector has heard. Therefore, it is better to do a thorough pre-trip inspection.
Remember logs and ELD
Inspectors will closely check for possible 22 ELD-related violations.
Runnels strongly recommends entering load information and signing logs every day. In addition, truck drivers should have a paper log in the truck at all times. Make sure the ELD is visible from the driver’s side window. Or it can be detached and presented to the inspectors.
